Automatic balancing system for rotatable



April 10. 1956 V M. KAHN AUTOMATIC BALANCING sys'rsu FOR ROTATABLE ARTICLE HANDLING MACHINES Original F'ilod Doc. -16. 1950 v 2 Shun-Shut 1 IN V EN TOR. 1 :0 1M KAHM A TTOR NE Y.

KAHN

L. M. ALANC April 10. 1956 W m 2 u,

m m m a m AUTOMATIC B ARTICLE HANDLI CH Original Filed Doc. 16. 1950 "G A Es INVENTOR. [:0 M KAI/I'M ATTORNEY. v

. earing 9- 1953 AUTOMATIC BALANCING SYSTEM FOR ROT AT ABLE ARTICLE HANDLING MACHXNES Leo M. Kahn,Brooklyn, N. Y.

on No. 2,610,523, dated September 16, 195.2, Serial o.201,l52,,December 16, 1950. Application for reissue September 15, 1954, Serial No. 457,579

I 24 Claims. (Cl. 74---573) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets [I] appears in the original patient but forms no part of this reissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made issue.

The present invention relates generally to fluid ex I tractir'ig devices and methods, and in particular it relates to systems for extracting fluid from articles, spch as clothing, linens or the like, which have been latindered,

cleaned or otherwise wetted. -,The present invention is in parta divisional of my co-pending application Serial No, 29,376 and in part a continuation thereof, and it relates more particularly to the meansfor and method of determining the point or site of unbalance in the rotating cylinders used for extracting liquid from the 'wetted articles, so that counterbalance material may be introduced'at proper points about the cylinder to restore the balance and-insure smoothness of rotation and maximum efliciency in extracting and ejecting the fluid.

It is well understood that the degree of drying of articles, in machine of the above nature depends upon the extent of the centrifugal force produced by high speed rotation of the.cylinder so as to eject the liquid from the dering establishments have found it necessary to divide a cylinder into radial chambers by using partitions, and by weighing the articles put intoeach chamber in order to secure. approximate initial balance prior to high speed rotation. It is obvious that such practice is laborious and 4 time consuming and, furthermore, does not anticipate changes in weight distribution as the extraction of liquid proceed's to completion. Thoseestablishments which dispense with such precautions must be alert constantly in theQoperation of their equipment to avoid excessive vibration' 'hnd -consequent danger to the operators thereof and to the apparatus. 5

In the forms shown' herein, a cylinder is provided with peripherally disposed pockets to which are selectively and automatically applied counterbalancing liquids in such a' manner as to neutralize the effect of improper weight distribution within the cylinder. @Qccordinglygthe present invention has an important pb ed-thereof, the" provision 'of means which will be antomatically operable 'on rotation of the cylinder, to locate the portion of the cylinder which is overweighted and signal such information to the counterbalancing means. in other words, it is an important object of the present invention to use the cylinder vibration due to unbalance to signal the very existence and site of such unbalance, and almost simultaneously therewith to provide such signal operated means to direct liquid counterbalance material to selected points on the cylindenvto restore the balance thereof;

unbalance, an intermediate portion of t Another object of the present invention is thel pr'ovision of unbalance pick-up means mounted directlyjcn i the rotating cylinder and rotatable therewith, which means, I will be responsive to unbalanced conditions in the c'ylin-. 1

der to note such conditions of unbalance and signal the site thereof.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of unbalance pick-up means of the character described mounted on an end of the cylinder and rotatable therewith, said means comprising in. part an elongated rod or shaft extending axially of the cylinder and vibratable therewith on the development of a state of unbalance in thecylinder.

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of unbalance pick-up means comprising a hollow shaft mounted on the cylinder and rotatable therewith,

an elongated rod within the shaft rotatable therewith, the

rod being fixed to the cylinder at one end thereof, and. free to vibrate at the other end in response to conditions of unbalance inthe cylinder during rotation thereof.-

Still another object of the present invention is the provision of unbalance piclt-up means comprising an elongated rod mounted on the cylinder for rotation therewith, one end of which rod is secured to the cylinder, the other end of which is free to vibrate in response to cylinder he rod beingheld to limit the amplitude of the vibration of the rod.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of unbalance pick-up means comprising a rod or shaft extending axially of the cylinder and rotatable thereby and therewith, an end of which rod or shaft is free to vibrate in response to unbalance in the rotating cylinder, and provided with means at the vibrating end to reflect the site of overweight in the cylinder causing the unbalance and to control the application oficounter-weight' material to portions of the'cylinder opposite the oven weighted portions whereby to balance the cylinder. As sociated objects in this respect are the provision of par ticular means to reflect the site of. unbalance as a spider on the vibrating end of the rod, the arms of which spider are in the same plane. and the encircling shaft is provided with circumferentially spaced apart contacts also inthe same plane; or as a spider the arms of which are provided with' longitudinally ofi-set contacts and the encircling shaft is provided-with circumferentially spaced apart contacts which are also spaced apart lengthwise of the shaft; and has a plurality of circumferentially and length wise spaced apart contacts on' the free vibrating end of rod, with a plurality of micro-switches or other signal devices mounted on a fixed bracket in line with the vibrat-' ing rod.

hereof.

Figure I is a ing my invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic wiring diagram of the elec-- trical circuits;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic wiring diagram of a modifl cation;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure l of a modified form of apparatus also according to the present invention;

. he. 24,140 A In the drawings annexed hereto and forming apart vertical, longitudinal section through one form of apparatus constructed according to and embody-' often considered of advantage Figure 5 is a vertical section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic wiring diagram of the circuits in the embodiment of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a side elevational view of a portion of the apparatus illustrating a modified unbalance pick-up means according to the present invention; and

Figure 8 is an end elevation along the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

The rotating cylinder 10 is disposed for rotation within a suitable enclosure or housing 12, on base or platform 14, Cylinder 10 is provided with an opening 16 in an end wall 17 for the introduction of the material to be dried thereinto, and housing 12 is provided with a resistering opening 18 and with a closure 20 therefor in the adjacent end wall 21 for obvious reasons.

Base or platform 14 has an extended portion 22 provided with upwardly projecting standards 24, 24 in which cylinder 12 is supported. As shown herein, cylinder or drum 12 is supported or driven at one end thereof, and is referred to generally as a rigid bearing single end supported device, which is to be distinguished from a yieldable bearing permitting free cylinder oscillation. The driving power for rotating cylinder or drum 12 is not shown herein since numerous devices may be employed for such purpose, it being understood herein that cylinder 12 is rotatable under controlled speed as disclosed in copending application 'Serial No. 29.376. The support for cylinder 12 is provided by the use of an elongated shaft 26 which is rigidly secured to the end wall 28, at the center thereof, of cylinder or drum 12 opposite opening 16, shaft 26 being of course rotatable with the cylinder, and extending through aligned openings 30, 30 in the spaced-apart standards 24, 24 wherein suitable antifriction bearings are located. Interposed between cylinder end wall 28 and shaft or trunnion 26 is a yieldable pad or gasket 32, providing slightly resilient or yieldable support, although this may be dispensed with as may be desirable. The engaged end of 'shaft or trunnion 26 is flanged outwardly, as at 34, and

bolts 36, 36, passing through registering openings in flange 34, pad 32 and end wall 28, secure the shaft or trunnion to the cylinder.

Cylinder 12 is of perforate material, as sheet metal or the like, to permit expressed or extracted liquid to pass therefrom to the floor of housing 12 and out past valve 38, and is arranged to receive damp or wet material therewithin from-which the moisture is to be extracted. A plurality of ribs are provided on the interior face thereof, these ribs being formed of imperforate material, hollowed, with solid or enclosed rear end walls 42, and form- 'ing pockets or chambers 40a, 40b, 40c for the reception and retention of'weight counterbalance material. Pockets 40a,-40b, 40c are angularly and equally spaced around the periphery of the cylinder so as to divide it effectively into three weight receiving portions or'chambers l20 apart, although it is evident that four or even more ribs or pockets may be employed and spaced apart accordingly.

n is, of course, evident that pockets or chambers 40a, 40b, 40c may be located on the outside, rather than the inside of the cylinder, and, if desired, conventional inside ribs may be used for the agitating or material lifting function. Such expedient -is shown in prior application Serial No. 673,680, and in such case the ribs may be perforated such rib construction being for washing purposes. Means are provided to feed water or other counterbalance liquid from a tank or other source as T to the or the like as is well known.

pockets 40, when required bya condition of unbalance via piping 42. Electrically actuated feed controls 44a, 44b, 44c are'provided for this purpose, the operation and con trol'of which will be hereinafter described, although'each of the feed controls may ber'eplaced by individual and similarly controlled pumps. Assuming that the controls are actuated as required, the liquid tlows through teed pipes 46a, 46b, 46c as in Figure l, or through feed pipe 48, as

in Figure 4, to upwardly directed jets 50a, 50b, 50c (Figure 1) or jet 52 (Figure 4). It will be obvious that, in connection with the apparatus of Figure 1, either one or two of such feed pipes 46 will operate at any one time in order to correct a condition of unbalance.

Assuming now that a control member in Figure l permits the liquid to flow through one of pipes 46a, b, c, for example, pipe 46a, such liquid will flow through jet or nozzle 50a into feed ring 52a. Feed ring 52a is arranged to feed the liquid through a suitable pipe as 54 into one of the pockets 40, while feed rings 52b and 52c are arranged to feed the other pockets 40b, 40c respectively through other pipes 54, each ring 52a, b, c, having a separate pipe as 54 connected to each pocket.

'form a unitary sub-assembly as by being welded together.

in the relationship illustrated. Such sub-assembly is made fast to the cylinder so as to rotate therewith by tack welding or otherwise securing the inner end wall 56 of the innermost feed ring 52a to radiating ribs 58 which are themselves secured to or formed integrally with cylinder end wall 28. The feed rings 52a, 52b, 52c are disposed about shaft 26 concentrically for purposes which will hereinafter be made clear.

When, for example, liquid is applied through jet 50c to the open annular floor of feed ring 52c, centrifugal force will direct and maintain such liquid adjacent the periphery of the feed ring notwithstanding the fact that each feed ring is open at its center and'annular fl0or.. As the liquid is injected into the feed ring 52c during rotation of the cylinder, it is forced and escapes through the connecting pipe 54 into the upper portion of the associated pocket 40,. which is closed by end wall 42. There is provided an opening 33 at the lower front of the pocket to serve as a discharge outlet for the pocket as will hereinafter appear; I

The feed rings rotate axially about shaft 26, and each has a dischargeopening as 53c (Figure 1). When liquid is injected into the open channel of feed ring 52c, the centrifugal forces generated by the rotation of the feed ring will cause the liquid to collect initially about the periphery of the ring and then to flow out therefrom through opening 53c into the pocket 40c in communication with that'particular ring. it may 'very'well be that the opening at 53c exerts a negative pressure to aid in movement of the liquid from the ring into the pocket, but

whether or not this is the fact, experience has shown that there is sufficiently fast flow of the water-from the rings balancing quickly.

it will be evident that jets 50a,- b, c do not rotate with the cylinder and shaft assembly, but extend into housing 12 from the stationary pipes 46a, opening 55 of housing 12. Liquid flowing from the jets will be collected in the feed rings and directed to the 'respective outlets as above described. The feed rings make possible a fast and positive distribution of the counterbalance liquid so as to achieve such distribution in shortordcr and to keep pace withthe changing weight distribution as the liquid is extracted from the wet or damp articles. While the device including a separate feed ring for each pocket works quite plained below, feed'ring may number of counterbalance material receiving pockets.

As any one or two pockets as 40a. 40b or 400 fills with liquid introduced through the pipes 54. such liquid is maintained along the inner peripheral surface of the pocket pursuant-to centrifugal force. The liquid may accumulate as far down as the lower edge of end wall 43 where.-

achieved an improvement whereby a single upon it will enter the housing through opening 33. How- 46b, 46c, which traverse well,.l have, as will be exbe used and operate efliciently with any decreases sufficiently, the counterbalance liquid will rapidly discharge from the pockets and dropping to the floor of the cylinder will flow out therefrom through opening 33. It can beseen, therefore, that by relying on centrifugal forces to maintain the fluid as injected, the discharge may be facilitated and its required duration materially decreased. The floors of the pockets 40a, 40b, 40c are inclined towards the discharge openings 33, 33 so as to more efiectively discharge the fluid therethrough.

The electrical operation comprising the control system of the apparatus will nowbe described. The apparatus applies counterbalancing liquid to selected pockets during acceleration and high speed rotation of the cylinder and in response to a specific condition of unbalance. Means are provided to establish the presence of a predetermined degree of unbalance and its location, and certain corrective measures are thereupon automatically put into effect via the selected pocket or pockets. Thus, the site of unbalance can be, located by a vibration responsive device, as hereinafter described. An electrical circuit is provided, which reacts to a contact stimulus to establish instantaneously the position of a point of unbalance. The

reaction is arranged to control the action of one or more associated valves 46a, 46b and 46c and thereby introduce counterbalance liquid into selected feed rings and pockets.

When the overweighted portion of the unbalanced, rorating cylinder passes a predetermined'point, an electrical signal is produced which indicates both the presence of unbalanceand its specific location within the cylinder, and simultaneously therewith.

As illustrated in Figure 1, an elongated rod 60 is fixed at an end 62 thereof to the middle of cylinder end wall 28. Rod 60 will thereby rotate with said cylinder, and of course with the surrounding hollow shaft 26 which is also fixed to the cylinder. The other and free end 64 of rod 60 is extended slightly, but not necessarily, beyond the end of shaft 26 and arranged in wiping contact engagement with a contact blade 66 connected to one side of a power line 68. The end of rod 60 is suitably insulated from the body thereof and from cylinder 10, as will be readily understood. Mounted on rod 60 adjacent end 64 thereof is a spider 70, which may be formed integral with rod end 64 or secured thereto, the spider having three arms 72, 74, 76 in circuit with power line 68 through blade 66, and having contact terminals 82, 84, 86 at the ends thereof normally spaced inwardlyof the encircling shaft 26. It will be noted, by reference to Figure 2, that the terminal fingers of contacts 82, 84, 86 are offset one from the other lengthwise or longitudinally of the shaft. I provide three stationary conducting rings 92, 94, 96 about shaft 26, spaced from each other lengthwise of shaft 26, each of which is vertically aligned with rings of contact terminals 82, 84, 86. The mounting of stationary conducting rings 92, 94, 96 about shaft 26 and their insulation from the body of shaft 26 and cylinder 10, extending through shaft 26 towards the inner aspect thereof may be accomplished in any suitable manner, as

will be readily understood. Wiring from each ring to valves 44a, 44b, 44c and thence to the other side 78 of the power line is provided as indicated at 80a, 80b, 80c, see Figure 2. Rod 60 is not permitted to vibrate freely along its entire length, and the portion thereof permitted to vibrate is controlled by the insertion of a needle-point shouldered sleeve 90 inside shaft 26 encircling rod 60 nearer to its engaged end 62 than to its free and vibratable end 64. Rod 60 will, of course, partake of the move-' ment or vibration of cylinder 10, and, will be displaced from alignment with the longitudinal-axis of the cylinder 10, the rod 60 [vibrate towards the side opposite the point of unbalance,] pivoting about the firmly held portions between end 62 and sleeve 26, it being understood that sleeve 26, rod 60 and collar all rotate simultaneously. The sleeve 90 acts its a fulcrum although it also has a modifying efiect upon free oscillation of the rod 60 beand contact 82 against ring 92, thereby completing the circuit to liquid control 44b and causing counterweight liquid material to flow therethrough and enter ring 52b through jet or nozzle 50b. In like manner, conditions of overweight unbalance elsewhere in cylinder 10 will be re.- fiected in the vibration and shifting of rod end 64 to control the application of counterweight liquid to pockets 40a or 40b or to any two pockets, if the condition of unbalance is opposite the mid-point therebetween.

In Figure 3, I have provided a modification of the electrical circuit which will perform in substantially the same manner, except that I eliminate the necessity for a direct electrical connection to rod end 64. In this modification, spider arms 102, 104, 106 terminate in bridge contact members 112, 114, 116 respectively. Instead of.

stationary conducting rings, I provide current from one side of the power line to one of a pair of spaced contacts, the other contact of the pair going to the other side of the power line. Thus, three pairs of spaced contacts 122, 122', 124, 124 and 126, 126' are provided about shaft 26, and suitably insulated therefrom. The vibration and shifting of the rod end will be reflected by movement of the spider, as above described. Thus, when rod end 64 is so shifted as to cause bridge contact 116 to bear against spaced contacts 126, 126', the circuit to valve 44b will be completed to cause the flow of counterweight material to pocket 40b, the overweight being opposite thereto.

In Figures 4 and 5, I have illustrated a modification of my cylinder and valving arrangement in a cylinder having three counterweight receiving chambers. I provide a single counterbalance liquid material receiving ring 130 having three outlets and piping 130a, 130b, 130e, one to each of pockets 40a, 40b and 40c. A' flow control member as 44a, 44b, 44c is disposed within the pipe lines between the ring and the pockets adjacent the entrance into each pocket. A master valve M is included in the circuit, on one side 68 of the power line. The individual pocket flow control members 44a, 44b, 44c rotate along with cylinder 10, shaft 26 and rod 60, and are connected by suitable wiring within shaft 26 to the spider 70 and contacts 82, 84, 86 thereon. When a condition of unbalance develops and a contact is made in response thereto as at 84, 94, the circuit is completed, see Figure 6, from side 68 of the power line, through master valve M through spider 70, across contacts 84, 94 thence to flow control member 44b and finally to the other side 78 of the power line, energizing and opening valve M to permit passage of liquid counterweight material therethrough, into pipe 48 and out through jet or nozzle 52 into ring 130 and, simultaneously therewith, opening flow control member 1 44b to permit the passage of the counterweight material into pocket 40b.

In the modification of my invention illustrated diagrammatically in Figures 7 and 8, the cylinder supporting shaft or rod 27 has disposed thereon a plurality of buttons or cams as a, 150b, l50c which are angularly spaced about the shaft or rod 120 degrees apart, and also lengthwise or longitudinally of the shaft, as shown. A suitably positioned bracket 152 is firmly secured to base 14, 22 having an arm 154 extending in parallel relation to but spaced from shaft or rod 27. Three micro switches as 156a, 156b, 156e are disposed on arm 154 and spaced thereon to be in alignment respectively with contacts or shifting of the end of shaft 27 and the tripping of the affected micro switch or switches. The arrangement of counterweight material receiving pockets, wiring and flow controls may be as in Figure 1 or Figures 5 and 6, as will be readilyapparent. t

The unbalance pick-up of the modification of Figures 7 and 8 is disposed adjacent the free end of shaft 27, the other end being fixed to the cylinder 10 for rotation therewith, thus the variations of vibration between the standards 24, 24 or between the engaged end of shaft 27 and the standards are reflected in physically amplified form to the pick-up, although such .amplitudemay be regulated as described by varying the resilience of the gasket 32 as in Figures 1 and 4, or by varying the position of sleeve 90.

It is to be understood that holdover. means may be providedin the various circuits to provide for suflicient conmy previous application, and hence is not illustrated or described in detail herein.

While I have illustrated and described the present only by the scope of the appended claims. 1

Having described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. Balancing apparatus for a rotatable hollow cylinder external source, and having an outlet therefrom to each of the-counterweight receiving elements.

2. Balancing apparatus for a rotatable hollow cylinder for housing discrete articles to be treated, .said apparatus comprising a plurality of hollow counterweight liquid material receiving elements arranged to receive counterbalance liquid from an external source thereof, said elements being angularly arranged about the periphery of the cylinder and ditferentially afi'ecting the balance thereof when said liquid is selectively applied thereto, and a feed permit flow of counterweight material into at least one of the counterweight receiving elements.

4. Balancing apparatus for a rotatable hollow cylinder for housing discrete articles to be treated, said apparatus inder and differentially affecting the balance thereof when said liquid is selectively introduced thereinto, and an annular feed ring rotatably associated with the cylinder, said feed ring being substantially channel-shaped so as to have an endless inlet for liquid counterbalance material introduced thereinto from said. external source, the feed ring being disposed concentrically around the longitudinal axis uid thereinto from said ring, said ring having an endless channel for receiving liquid injected thereinto, and a feed jet for said ring, said jet having a discharge nozzle which is directed so that injected liquid flows into said ring.

6. Balancing means for a rotatable hollow cylinder for housing discrete articles to be treated, said balancing ceiving counterbalance weights at selected peripheral areas of said cylinder, and apick-up in said control system for detecting the presence and the site of overweight unbalance during cylinder rotation, said pick-up comprising the cylinder for axial rotation therewith, means to support said shaft rotatably, the cylinder being disposed on one side of the support and the other end of the shaft extending beyond the support on the other side thereof, the

ranged angularly about the periphery of the shaft adjacent the unconnected end thereof, the shaft end being vibratable in response to a condition of overweight unbalance in the rotating cylinder [.1 fulcrum means disposed i l l l l I and with the cylinder. If, and means interposed between the shaft and sleeve to limit the amplitude of vibration of the shaft] 11. A balancing apparatus as in claim 8, having a hollow sleeve about the shaft and rotatable axially therewith and with the cylinder, the contacts being arranged in longitudinally spaced relation to each other lengthwise of the shaft and mounted on arms projecting radially from the shaft, normally spaced inwardly of the encircling sleeve.

12. A balancing apparatus as in claim 11, in which the sleeve is provided with a plurality of contact rings spaced apart lengthwise of the shaft, each in the same plane with a shaft contact 13. A balancing apparatus as in claim 11, in which the sleeve is provided with a plurality of contact rings spaced apart lengthwise of the shaft, each in the same plane with a shaft contact, the contact rings being stationary for wiping engagement by one or more of the arm supported contacts on vibration of the shaft in response to a specific condition of overweight in the cylinder.

14. In a balancing apparatus for a rotatable hollow cylinder, a plurality of hollow counterweight liquid ma terial receiving elements arranged angularly an'dperipherally about the cylinder so as to differentially affect the balance thereof when. said liquid is selectively applied thereto, an elongated shaft extending from one end of the cylinder [and supporting said cylinder], the shaft rotating concentrically with the cylinder, individual liquid inlet controls for each element, an elongated sleeve concentric with and encircling the shaft, said sleeve being connected to and supporting the cylinder, a plurality of'contact points angularly arranged about the shaft, a plurality of contacts on the sleeve, an electric circuit connecting the shaft and the contacts thereon to one side of a power line, the other side of the power line connecting the inlet controls and the contacts on the sleeve, the shaft being vibratable on development of unbalance in the rotating cylinder to close the circuit between two or less shaft contacts and two or less sleeve contacts and two or less inlet controls whereby to selectively apply counterweight material to two or less elements opposite the point of overweight unbalance.

15. In a balancing apparatus for a rotatable hollow cylinder, a plurality of hollow counterweight liquid material receiving elements arranged angularly about the cylinder so as to differentially affect the balance thereof when said liquid is selectively applied thereto from an external source thereof, a shaft supporting the cylinder extending from one end of the cylinder and rotatable axially therewith, a pick-up device for detecting a state of unbalance on the rotating cylinder, said pick-up being mounted on the shaft and comprising asimilar plurality of cams peripherally disposed about the shaft end and arranged angularly and lengthwise thereof, avbracket arm disposed in spaced parallel relation to the shaft normally out of engagement therewith, a similar plurality of normally open micro switches arranged on the arm lengthwise thereof in line with the shaft cams, a similar plurality of liquid flow control, each micro switch being electrically connected to a flow control, vibration of the shaft in response to the development of a condition of unbalance in the rotating cylinder causing engagement of a cam opposite the point of unbalance with the micro switch in line therewith, closing of said switch and actuation of the flow control to the liquid receiving element opposite the point of unbalance.

16. Balancing apparatus for a rotatable hollow cylinder for housing discrete articles to be treated, said apparatus comprising a plurality of hollow counterweight liquid material receiving elements arranged to receive counterbalance liquid from a source thereof, said elements being angularly arranged about the periphery of the cylinder and extending lengthwise thereof, differentially affecting the balance thereof when said liquid is selectively applied thereto, and a liquid container on an end of and rotating concentrically with the cylinder, said container being adapted to house a single body of counterbalance liquid therein and having a separate outlet therefrom for selectively directing said body of liquid to each of the peripherally spaced counterweight receiving elements, liquid flow control means between each outlet and an associated counterweight receiving element and an exit port for venting' the counterweight material from each element and by passing the source thereof.

17. Balancing apparatus for a rotatable hollow horizontal cylinder for housing discrete articles to be treated, said apparatus comprising a plurality of hollow counterweight liquid material receiving elements arranged to receive counterbalance liquid from a source thereof, said elements being angularly arranged about the periphery of the cylinder extending horizontally lengthwise thereof and difierentially afiecting the balance thereof when said liquid is selectively applied thereto, and a liquid container on an end of and rotating concentrically with the cylinder, said container beingadapted to house a single body of counterbalance liquid therein and having a separate outlet therefrom for selectively directing said body of liqaid to each of the peripherally spaced counterweight receiving elements, liquid flow control means between each outlet and an associated counterweight receiving element and means to discharge the counterweight material from each. element at the termination of an article treating operation.

l8. Balancing apparatus for a rotatable hollow cylinder for housing discrete articles to be treated, said apparatus comprising a plurality of hollow counterweight liquid material receiving elements arranged to receive counterbalance liquid from a source thereof, said elements be ing angularly arranged about the periphery of the cylinder and extending lengthwise thereof, difierentially afiecting the balance thereof when said liquid is selectively applied thereto, and'a liquid container on an end of and rotating concentrically with the cylinder, said container being adapted to house a single body of counterbalance liquid therein and having a separate outlet therefrom for selectively directing said body of liquid to each of the peripherally spaced counterweight receiving elements, liquid flow control means between each outlet and an associated counterweight receiving element and an exit port for venting the counterweight material from each element and by-passin'g the source thereof.

19. Balancing apparatus for a rotatable hollow cylinder for housing discrete articles to be treated, said appuratus comprising a plurality of hollow counterweight liquid material receiving elements arranged to receive counterbalance liquid from a source thereof, said elements being angularly arranged about the periphery of the cylinder and extending lengthwise thereo difierentially aflecting the balance thereof when said liquid is selectively applied thereto, and a liquid container on an end of and rotating concentrically with the cylinder, said container having a separate outlet therefrom to each of the peripherally spaced counterweight receiving elements, liquid flow control means between each outlet and an associated counterweight receiving element, on exit port for venting the counterweight material from each element and by-passing the source thereof, a feed jet for said container, said feed jet having a discharge nozzle which is directed so that injected liquid flows into said container, and means responsive to a predetermined level ofvibration from any balance liquid from a source thereof,

source of unbalance in the rotating cylinder to control the flowof liquid in said feed jet. 20. Balancing apparatus fora rotatable hollow cylinder or housing discrete articles to be treated, said apparatus comprising a plurality of hollow counterweight liquid material receiving elements arranged to receive counterbalance liquid from a source thereof, said elements being angularly arranged about the periphery of the cylinder and extending lengthwise thereof, differentially affecting the balance thereof when said liquid is selectively applied thereto, and a liquid container on an end of and rotating concentrically with the cylinder, said container having a separate outlet therefrom to each of the peripherally spaced counterweight receiving elements, liquid flow control means between each outlet and an associated counterweight receiving element, an exit port for venting the counterweight material from each element and by-passing the source thereof, a pick-up for detecting the presence and the site of overweight unbalance during cylinder rotation, said pick-up comprising a shaft connected to and extending longitudinally from the cylinder and rotating concentrically therewith, the unconnected end of said shaft, on development of a state of unbalance in the cylindef during rotation thereof, vibrating out of axial alignment with the longitudinal axis of the cylinder towards the side opposite the overweight in the cylinder, said liquid container being mounted around said shaft and rotating therewith, said pick-up further comprising pick-up contacts disposed on said unconnnected end of said shaft and operating said liquid flow control means upon a predetermined degree of vibration of said unconnected end of said shaft;

21. Balancing apparatus according to claim 20 and including a hollow sleeve about the shaft and rotatable axially therewith and with the cylinder, said pick-up contacts being arranged angularly about the periphery of the shaft adjacent the unconnected end thereof, and opposing electrical contact members on said sleeve and adapted to eflect respective electrical engagement with said shaft contacts in response to a specific condition of overweight in the cylinder.

22. Balancing apparatus for a rotatable hollow cylinder for housing discrete articles to be treated, said apparatus comprising a plurality of hollow counterweight liquid material receiving elements arranged to receive countersaid elements being angularly arranged about the periphery of the cylinder and extending lengthwise thereof, difierentially affecting the balance thereof when said liquid is selectively applied thereto, and a liquid container on an end of and rotating concentrically with the cylinder, said container being adapted to house a single body of counterbalance liquid therein and having a separate outlet therefrom for selec tively directing said body of liquid to each of the peripherally spaced counterweight receiving elements, an electrically operated liquid flow control valve between each element and an associated counterweight receiving element, a pick-up for detecting a state of unbalance on. the rotating cylinder, and electrical circuit means between said pick-up and each of said valves for operating specific valves in response to in the cylinder.

23. Balancing means for a rotatable hollow cylinder having one end open for the insertion or removal of articles to be treated therein and having bearing means at the other end thereof, said balancing means comprising a control system for applying and receiving counterbalance weights at selected peripheral areas of said cylinder, a pick-up in said control system for detecting the presence and the site of overweight unbalance during cylinder rotation, elongated shaft meansin said pick-up connected to and extending longitudinally from the other end of the cylinder and rotating concentrically therewith, electrical contact means on the unconnected end of said shaft means for closing selective electrical circuits. pursuant to a specific state of unbalance in the rotating cylinder and a resilient member interposed between said elongated shaft means and said other end of said cylinder for modifying the vibration of the unconnected end of said shaft means relative to the cylinder end to which it is connected.

24. Balancing means for a rotatable hollow cylinder having one end open for the insertion or removal of articles to be treated therein, said balancing means com prising a control system for applying and receiving counterbalance weights at selected peripheral areas of said cylinder, said control system including elongated shaft means connected to and extending longitudinally from the other end of the cylinder and rotating concentrically therewith, rigid bearing means rotatably supporting said elongated shaft means, a resilient member interposed between said elongated shaft means and said other end of the cylinder for modifying the transmission of vibration from the cylinder to said shaft means, and means respoimv sive to diflerential vibration between said cylinder and said shaft means for selectively applying counterbalance weights to said peripheral areas of said cylinder.

References Cited in the file of this patent or the original patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Keiper a specific condition of overweight. 

